Two months ago, customs and wildlife authorities had announced one of the largest hauls of poached tiger bones -- 162 kg -- in India when they arrested Pema Thinley in Delhi. Recent information leaked from the Union home ministry suggests that Thinley may have been an agent for the national intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).
It is believed that for a long time before his capture, he regularly utilised his easy access into neighbouring countries to smuggle tiger bones worth millions.
Officials of the Union ministry of environment and forests surmise that Thinley made use of the special facilities provided by the Indo-Tibet Border Police to make at least 12 trips to Tibet (and then to China) carrying tiger bone consignments.
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